The Border Bulldogs could not match the power of the Leopards, going down 30-19 in their Currie Cup first division match played at East London’s Absa Stadium on Friday night.
The visitors scored four tries to three to earn a bonus point, while the Bulldogs, who trailed 27-0 at the break playing against a strong wind, left their best for last.
Ironically, their tries came when they were down to 14 men after loosehead prop Black Mtimka had been sent off for flattening Leopards lock Jeandre Mynhardt in the 52nd minute.
The Leopards mixed their game well in the first half by using their big men to drive the ball up the middle, while flyhalf Corne Meyer used the wind intelligently.
They never looked like losing, but were given a scare late in the match when the Bulldogs piled on the pressure to get in for three tries, two going to flanker Blackie Swart who played a blinder.
The Leopards scored two tries in the first half and two in the second, the best of which was that of Bertus Swanepoel who took an inside pass from flyhalf Corne Meyer to knife right through. — Sapa